Not all those who went to West Point before the Civil War
remained in the army, but those who did played key roles in the eastern Indian wars and the War
with Mexico (18461848). They also helped explore the new lands west of the Mississippi and build
the nations roads.

West Pointers led many of the expeditions westward, explorations part military reconnaissance,
part scientific exploration, part treasure hunt. They surveyed and mapped the land, gathered
information, identified potentially valuable resources, collected specimens, and wrote reports.
The military posts they established often became the nucleus of towns and cities.

Whether as army officers or civilian engineers, West Pointers built Americas roads and
canals, bridges and railroads. They also transplanted major features of military organization to
the new railroad corporations and pioneered mass production.

In these activities and others, West Pointers helped lay the groundwork for Americas
economic development, intellectual growth, and territorial expansionengineering, exploration,
and war.